Il Bollettino di Gina’s Italy ~~~ December 2009
Buon natale e Felice Capodanno! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you to everyone for making this year one to remember! Even with a slowed economy Gina’s Italy was able to continue to share the adventure of travel to Italy and to import the fabulous olive oil from Tuscany due to your support and enthusiasm. Grazie! Thank you!

Messages from travelers such as, “You are responsible for great memories” or “You are the Best” or even “…our appreciation for all the hard work you put into the tour to make our trip to Italy so special” encourage Gina’s Italy to continue with the mission of small groups and customized experiences.

From custom family trips to our pre-organized tours, Gina’s Italy searches for the unique and interesting. Travel to a foreign land is enhanced by direct communication with locals, participation in local events, appreciation of regional foods, wines, cheeses as well as the opportunity to visit art museums. Our tours combine many opportunities that make up the vast mosaic of Italian culture.

Referrals
We will draw the name of our winner for the $250 travel voucher on December 31st. Thank you to all of you who have referred new travelers to Gina’s Italy. Referrals are the lifeline for any small business. Gina’s Italy enthusiastically welcomes repeat travelers and importantly new travelers that come to us as referrals. We will have another drawing on March 31, 2010 for a second voucher. You can participate by referring your friends, family and acquaintances to join in a Gina’s Italy tour or use Gina’s Italy for travel services.

Olive Oil
We have delivered all olive oil orders for this season. Thank you to everyone who continues to support the Casanuova di Ama production. You have come to appreciate the high quality of this food. Produced in small quantity the olives are organic and handled by hand from start to finish. The fact that only olives from this family land produce this oil guarantees its fine flavor and freshness. If you forgot to order or you would like to order more, there is a small supply left from this year’s shipment. Please request your bottles soon. We order once a year. 12 months with the “other” oil can be long.

2010 Tours
Sicily and the Northern Skies of Italy are May 2010 tours. In Sicily we will taste diverse foods of Greek and Arab influence. We will see temples that rival those in Greece. We will take a look at the great Etna which bellows smoke as a sign of life. Of course no trip can be complete without local wine tasting. Our stop in the interior of Sicily takes us to red wine production. It would be no surprise if the Sicilian Nero d’Avola grape becomes as familiar as the Chianti of Tuscany. In Northern Skies producers of balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, Parmigiano and Italian champagne will educate us in the techniques and history of these well prized foods. Add a stop to Bologna, Modena, Verona, Lake Garda and the Po valley and find yourself enjoying the Northern Skies of Italy.

The Grand Tour begins in Rome on September 7, 2010. This tour gives the first time traveler a solid introduction to Italy and offers the return traveler a rich experience with side trips into the countryside. There are three options for the Grand Tour, the comprehensive 15-day tour, the shorter 10 day Grand Tour Adventure tour for those with time constraints and the Grand Tour Your Way which is customized for each traveler. The 15-day tour is designed for 8 participants, the 10-day for 10 and the Your Way for 12. In each, every traveler can expect the personal attention that all participants have come to expect.
More options for memorable travel are yours with Experience Italy, Wine and Dine all’italiana, and more. For other tour options, go to Travel Opportunities.

A Word to the Wise
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Grazie & Felice Anno Nuovo
Thank you again for your continued enthusiasm for and interest in Gina’s Italy. When considering travel to Italy, why not “Discover Italy” with Gina’s Italy and enjoy a small group environment, a family style atmosphere and total personal attention. We hope to travel with you soon. To contact Gina write: info@ginasitaly.com.

Gina